Popular Festivals

BUSY SIGNAL sure seems to have kept in the headlines recently and this month he follows trend with news that he has split from his manager SHANE BROWN of JukeBoxx records. It has been unclear why Busy would have departed from such a strong relationship, especially one which has looked to be so tight through his recent lock-up. Some have suggested that there were financial disputes and there were even rumors that Shane was involved with Busy’s lady while he was locked up. But in a recent TV interview, Busy stated that he has hired his brothers in order to gain “complete control” of his business.

Snoop performed as SNOOP LION for the first time last month at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Seems like he might have reincarnated into a new form but you sure can’t teach an old dogg new tricks. Snoop had his fans eating out of his hands during his LionFest performance but there was a sure presence of the Dogg on stage as he rocked the stage with classics like "Nuthin' But A G Thang", "Let's Get High", "Bitch Please" and DPG's "We Can Freak It" alongside Daz & Kurupt—and not to forget Dirty Dogg—his oversized (and oversexed) canine mascot. Snoop also performed reggae versions of "Gin & Juice" and "Young, Wild and Free", and of course he brought out MAVADO for “Lighers Up” and ANGELA HUNTE for “Here Comes The King.”

Meanwhile, Snoop’s film Reincarnated also premiered at SXSW—some have dubbed the movie weed porn—when I caught up with him on the red carpet here's the heads up he gave me;

The film is now in cinemas worldwide. As for the “sticky ikkie”, you’ll probably have to find your own!

NEW TRACKS

It's never a dull moment when STEPHEN MCGREGOR and AIDONIA join forces, and their latest fresh cut is yet another work of genius—about girls! girls! girls! Or the private parts of a female to be more specific. Aidonia isn't shy on exposing the girls with the “tight punna-na” And the name of the song kinda says it all: “Bruki, Bruki, Bruki.”

Di GENIUS flips it and takes to the mic on “Done Warn Dem” which was produced by his cousin DJ KEMYS. Stephen's not sending no subliminal messages to the haters on this one—he's making sure they hear him loud and clear. #StraightTalk

Expect nothing but pure sexiness when KONSHENS and RAINE SAVILLE get together. On their new song “Sekkle Dung” that is—in case you didn’t get the memo, it seems they’ve been sekkling dung outside of the studio too, but that’s another story for another day. “Reaching out to all the good body girl'', It sounds like Konshens is “standing for attention like a soldier”. I'm kinda worried about seeing the video for this tune!

MAVADO & ACE HOOD linked up with former Dipset affiliate VADO, who’s become the newest crew member of 'We the Best' camp. Who better to jump on a track called “Gangsta'', seems like the Gully Gad brought that “Gangsta” flex & Ace kept it 'Hood'.

ALBUMS

If you've been waiting forever for MAJOR LAZER’s new album then the wait is almost over. 'Free the Universe' drops 15th April. The album includes work with dancehall acts like POPCAAN and BUSY SIGNAL with Busy's ''watch out for this'' as the first official single.

The DJ's were billed on Snoops LionFest at SXSW - looks like DIPLO's been working out – in the gym.

SNOOP LION's Reincarnated album is also set to release this month. If you loved Lighters up ft Mavado then your in for a treat. Its packed with some really good tunes. The album see's collab's with acts like Mr Vegas, Busta Rhymes and my fave Collie Buddz.

In the meantime here's the video for 'no guns allowed' ft DRAKE and CORI B.

RIDDIMS

FAT EYES productions has brought back a new version of the 'Answer Riddim', a dancehall classic with voicings by ANTHONY REDROSE, SIZZLA, and DELLY RANKS.

From Studio One to Massive Attack, HORACE ANDY has a massive catalogue and he’ll be dipping into all of it when he touches down at Jazz Café – UK - April 7.

Better get your tickets early when MAJOR LAZER comes to London's Roundhouse May 4.

And if you're ready for some sun the 'Tabago Jazz Festival' will be in full swing end of the month. Get your soca & reggae fix april 20th – 28th. Acts on the bill include KES THE BAND, Captain of the Big Ship FREDDIE MCGREGOR and this years international headliners include MELANIE FIONA and INDIA ARIE.

TO WRAP UP...

The bank holiday can always swing one of two ways. Either nothing happens or everything goes down all at once. Lucky for us it all went down on Saturday as Brixton02 saw two of the greatest rub-a-dub sound systems of all time—King Stur Gav and Volcano Hi Power, along side a classic line up of DJs and singers including YELLOWMAN, COCOA TEA, U-ROY, BRIGADIER JERRY, LITTLE JOHN, LITTLE TWITCH and GENERAL TREES —who tore up the place with classic cuts and high energy performances.

Yellowman got so worked running back and forth across the stage it seemed like he ran a full marathon while performing “Zunguzungguzeng.” But the night ended with Cocoa Tea walking off the stage after he got mad at selector DANNY DREAD for mixing the tune wrong. Awkward! Lucky for the crowd Cocoa Had gotten through most of his catalogue by then & lucky for the promoter it was already 5am by then!!!